Bacteriophage compositions for treatment of bacterial infections

ABSTRACT

A respirable composition for treatment of a bacterial infection includes one or more active bacteriophages in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable respirable carrier. The composition includes a carbohydrate carrier, and is prepared as fine powder. In another aspect, bacteriophages are provided in a liquid carrier for administration by nebulization. In one aspect, the bacteriophages have anti-bacterial activity against one or more species or strains of  Burkholderia cepacia  complex (BCC) bacteria. The invention further relates to the use of a BCC bacteriophage to treat a BCC infection, in particular in an individual suffering from cystic fibrosis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/CA2009/001696, filed Nov. 26, 2009, and published as WO 2010/060200 A1 on Jun. 3, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application No. 61/118,545, filed on Nov. 28, 2008, which applications and publication are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof in their entirety, and the benefit of priority of each of which is claimed herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, compositions and methods for treatment of individuals with bacterial infections, and more particularly to compositions and methods which comprise respirable bacteriophage-containing formulations. The invention further relates to novel bacteriophages active against Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteria, and respirable formulations comprising such phage viruses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BCC Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease among the Caucasian population. Inhaled microbes pose a significant threat to these patients as they exhibit impaired pulmonary mucociliary clearance. This deficiency makes cystic fibrosis patients susceptible to repeated and prolonged infections from a relatively narrow spectrum of opportunistic bacterial pathogens. Chronic microbial colonization leading to debilitating pulmonary infection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients.

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a group of opportunistic pathogens that have considerable impact on the quality of life and mortality of cystic fibrosis patients. The known BCC pathogens currently consist of a total of nine Burkholderia species that is expected to soon expand to seventeen species. The nine major species are B. cepacia, B. multivorans, B. cenocepacia, B. stabilis, B. vietnamiensis, B. dolosa, B. ambifaria, B. anthina, and B. pyrrocinia. The ability of the members of the BCC to cause infections in the cystic fibrosis population is not species dependent, as members of all species have been recovered from infected individuals. However, the vast majority of clinical isolates in North America are B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans; in Canada, B. cenocepacia strains cause approximately 80% of BCC infections in cystic fibrosis patients, although this prevalence varies by region.

Pulmonary infections with members of the BCC can result in variable clinical outcomes, one of which is “cepacia syndrome,” a rapidly progressive necrotizing pneumonia and sepsis that occurs in up to 20% of cystic fibrosis patients at particular cystic fibrosis clinics. Both direct transmission (for example, interpersonal contact) and indirect transmission (via shared equipment or by third parties) play a potential role in spreading cross-infection among cystic fibrosis patients.

Evidence shows that BCC bacteria can be transmitted through social contact, such as among siblings and summer camps, leading epidemiologists to employ segregation as a means to control possible outbreaks. Furthermore, BCC bacteria are highly resistant to antibiotics, and even aggressive antibiotic therapy often does not result in improved clinical prognosis or a reduction in bacterial numbers. Increasing resistance to common antibiotic treatments is an escalating concern, and opportunities for developing new effective chemical antibiotic treatments in the future may be limited.

Use of Bacteriophages to Treat Bacterial Infections

Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically attack and kill different types of bacteria. Because bacteria are their “natural” target cells, efforts have been made to enlist bacteriophages to fight bacterial infections of higher organisms. Bacteriophages are harmless to mammalian cells and even to other nontargeted bacteria, and thus, they are more specific than broad-spectrum antibiotics that will kill beneficial bacteria in the human body along with the infectious bacteria.

Bacteriophage therapy has been applied to human beings using nonaerosol delivery routes. Research studies were published on the therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the 1930s and early 1940s (Sulakvelidze A, and Kutter E: Bacteriophages: Biology and Applications CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., 2005). However, bacteriophage biology was not well understood at the time, resulting in inconsistent data. Moreover, bacteriophages were improperly tested against bacteria insensitive to those particular bacteriophages or even against diseases that were not caused by bacteria. Such missteps, along with the discovery and mass production of antibiotics, led to a reduced interest in bacteriophage therapy (Bradbury J. Lancet. 2004, 363, 624-625). Therefore bacteriophage therapy remains relatively unexplored, although it does appear that at least some bacteriophages can be used for treatment of bacterial infections.

An important aspect of bacteriophage treatment is the development of an effective route of administration. For treating respiratory infections, inhalation-based routes have been proposed. There have been previous attempts to nebulize bacteriophages for veterinary medicine, human treatment, and agricultural applications. However, little is known about bacteriophage behavior in the human lung and bacteriophage-derived clearance of bacteria in the lung. In previous investigations, there are no quantitative data regarding the titer used, the inhaled number of bacteriophages, the nebulizer type, or aerosol properties. A number of older studies have indicated that bacteriophages can be inactivated by aerosolization, and that aerosolized bacteriophages are sensitive to the salt content of the nebulized solution.

Compared to the bacteriophages of other high profile bacteria such as E. coli and Streptococci, relatively little study of bacteriophages active against members of the BCC has been performed. There are no known examples in the prior art of bacteriophage treatment of respiratory infections caused by members of the BCC. It is therefore unknown from the prior art if BCC bacteriophages would provide useful therapeutic agents for treatment of BCC infections such as those suffered by individuals with cystic fibrosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide bacteriophages active against species or strains of members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) for treatment of BCC infections.

It is a further object to provide respirable compositions for delivery of bacteriophages to the lungs of individuals, for use in treating persons infected with a bacterial infection capable of treatment with bacteriophages. One such viral infection is a BCC infection; however, the invention is not limited to compositions containing such bacteriophages.

It is a further object to provide medical treatments, uses, and uses for preparing medicaments, of compositions comprising multiple bacteriophages active against BCC and other infective bacteria.

One aspect of the invention relates to a respirable composition comprising one or more active bacteriophages in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable respirable carrier. In another aspect, the bacteriophage is active against one or more strains of the Burkholderia cepacia complex.

Lytic bacteriophages are advantageous because they lyse the host bacterium, thereby controlling the infection. Lysogenic bacteriophages may also incorporate their DNA into the chromosome of the host bacterium. While the mechanism of action of lysogenic bacteriophages is more complex than that of the lytic bacteriophages, lysogenic bacteriophages nonetheless may prove useful for development of new therapies.

According to one aspect, a bacteriophage may be delivered in a carrier which comprises water or an aqueous solution having a pH range of about 4.5 to about 8.5, preferably about 6.5 to about 8.5. This aqueous solution may include about 25 to about 75 mM of a buffer system. The buffer system may comprise any suitable buffer such as phosphate (including phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The carrier may also include a salt, for example about 50 mM to about 150 mM NaCl, as well as other excipients known to those with skill in the art, including but not limited to polymers, stabilizers, surfactants, granulating agents and preservatives.

It is advantageous if the composition has an osmolarity between about 110 to about 550 mOsm, preferably about 250 to about 320 mOsm. It is also advantageous if the bacteriophage concentration is about 1.0×10⁸ to about 3.8×10⁸ PFU/ml (plaque-forming units per ml) although lower or higher concentrations may also be useful, depending upon the effectiveness of each individual bacteriophage.

According to one aspect of the invention, bacteriophage may be administered with the use of a dry, respirable powder as a carrier. It is advantageous if the powder comprises a carbohydrate such as lactose, trehalose or sucrose or any combination thereof. Advantageously, the bacteriophage concentration in the powder is about 7×10⁵ to about 1.5×10⁷ PFU/ml., although both lower and higher concentrations are also contemplated.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a drug delivery system for delivery of a respirable bacteriophage composition such as the compositions described herein. Such a system comprises a nebulizer, dry powder inhaler, or pressured metered dose inhaler configured to deliver the composition to the pulmonary system of human. A nebulizer is defined as a device used for to provide medication in forms of a liquid mist or droplets to the airways. As used herein, a “dry powder inhaler” is a device used to provide medication in the form of solid fine particles. As used herein, the term “pressured metered dose inhaler” refers to a pressurized metal canister containing a mixture of propellants, surfactants, preservatives, and an active ingredient. As used herein, the term “aerosol” means dispersed solid or liquid particles suitable for delivery to the airways of a patient.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of treatment of an individual with a bacterial infection, and a use of a bacteriophage composition for treating a bacterial infection in an individual. The method or use involves administration to the individual of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition containing one or more bacteriophages active against an infective bacterium or bacteria. According to one aspect, the bacterial infection is caused by one or more Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) strains. Such individuals with BCC infections typically include individuals with cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

Another aspect of the invention is a method of preparing a powder composition containing one or more active bacteriophages for administration by inhalation. In this method, an aqueous solution which includes one or more active bacteriophages is desiccated to obtain a solid matrix. The solid matrix is then refined into a powder having fine particles. The diameter of such particles may be about 0.1 μm to about 20 μm, preferably about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm and still more preferably about 1 μm to about 5 μm. Alternatively, the desiccation process produces fine particles within these size ranges, and subsequent processing is not required to achieve the desired particle size. Particles within these ranges of diameters provide for sufficient deposition within the lungs. Larger particles tend to deposit within the mouth and throat while smaller particles tend to be too small to contain active bacteriophages. The process of refining the particles into an appropriate range of sizes may be accomplished by a gentle mechanical processing or milling without excessive shear stress. Such milling may be carried out using a drum roller or drum tumbler such as the Turbula™ Roller. Other means of providing gentle mechanical processing or milling without producing excessive shear stress of the matrix may be used for this step. In the above process, it is advantageous if the aqueous solution includes a carbohydrate such as lactose, trehalose or sucrose.

In another method of preparing a powder composition containing one or more active bacteriophages, an aqueous solution including one or more active bacteriophages is obtained. This aqueous solution is then subjected to a process of spray-freeze drying such as the process described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,007,406 and 7,363,726, which are incorporated herein in entirety. In these methods, a flow of liquid droplets of the aqueous solution is generated within a chamber and the flow is treated with a flow of coolant inside the chamber to freeze the liquid droplets and produce frozen particles. The frozen particles are then deposited on a collector and dried to form the powder. The powder may be further processed to generate smaller particles if necessary.

In another method of preparing a powder composition containing one or more active bacteriophages, an aqueous solution including one or more active bacteriophages is obtained and subjected to a process of spray-drying. A spray dryer is a device used to separates the solute or suspension as a solid and the solvent into a vapor from a stream of the aqueous solution. The solid is usually collected in a drum or cyclone. The liquid input stream is sprayed through a nozzle into a hot vapor stream and vaporized. Solids form as moisture quickly leaves the droplets.

In preferred embodiments, the bacteriophage used in the above formulations is a BCC bacteriophage. In other aspects, a “cocktail” comprising a combination of bacteriophages may be used. These may comprise a plurality of BCC bacteriophages, and/or other phage types.

In another aspect, the bacteriophage formulation is used to treat bacterial infections which are present in a biofilm. BCC and other bacterial infections tend to grow in biofilms in the lung. Use of the present invention is believed to result in phage lysis of bacteria encased in biofilms, and will tend to degrade the biofilm such that the infection will become easier to clear by traditional antibiotics or the immune system.

In still another aspect, the invention relates to a bacteriophage active against BCC, comprising the gene sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4. In a further aspect, the bacteriophage comprises a gene sequence having at least 75%, 85%, 90% or 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4.

The term “bacteriophage” as used herein is a virus that infects a bacterium, wherein the bacterium is of a type which causes an infective disease. The bacteriophage may constitute a single or double-stranded DNA or RNA virus. When used in the plural, unless the context otherwise requires, “bacteriophages” refers to a plurality of bacteriophage types, species, or strains.

The term “gene sequence” means the entirety or substantial portion of the genetic sequence of a bacteriophage, and includes single and double-stranded RNA and DNA.

The term “identity” in reference to a percentage identity to a defined gene or genomic sequence refers to deletions, substitutions, or insertions in a gene sequence due to degeneracy or other transcription errors in the gene sequence.

The term “respirable composition” means a composition that is in the form of a nebulizable liquid or a fine powder that is capable of being inhaled by a patient, whether through a mechanical device intended to introduce a composition into the patient's lungs, or otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a chart indicating bacteriophage persistence in G. mellonella larvae. Uninfected larvae were injected with individual bacteriophages.

FIG. 2 is a chart indicating the effects of bacteriophage therapy in G. mellonella infected with B. cenocepacia K56-2 or B. cenocepacia C6433 for quantification.

FIG. 3A is a chart indicating the effects of delayed bacteriophage therapy of G. mellonella larvae infected with B. cenocepacia strain K56-2. A single injection of bacteriophage KS4-M (at varying MOI) was administered to larvae at 6 hours after bacterial challenge.

FIG. 3B is a chart indicating the effects of delayed bacteriophage therapy of G. mellonella larvae infected with B. cenocepacia strain K56-2. A single injection of bacteriophage KS4-M (at varying MOI) was administered to larvae at 12 hours after bacterial challenge.

FIG. 4 is a chart indicating KS12 bacteriophage therapy in G. mellonella infected with B. cenocepacia strain K56-2.

FIG. 5 is a chart indicating KS14 bacteriophage therapy in G. mellonella infected with B. cenocepacia strain C6433.

FIG. 6 is a chart indicating generational bacteriophage titer levels in airway surface liquid after nebulization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In Vivo Testing of BCC Bacteriophages Example 1 Bacteriophage Preparation, Isolation, and Sequencing

Bacteriophage KS4-M is an uncharacterized phenotypic mutant of bacteriophage KS4 (Seed, K. D., and J. J. Dennis. 2005. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 251:273-280), which, unlike its parent, is able to clear liquid cultures of B. cenocepacia K56-2, indicating that this bacteriophage is active against B. cenocepacia K56-2. High titers of bacteriophage KS4-M were prepared by adding KS4-M bacteriophage to K56-2 (pre-grown for about 3.5 hours at 30° C. in one-half-strength Luria-Bertani (½ LB)), and the mixture was shaken at 30° C. until complete bacterial clearing was observed. These preparations were purified by centrifugation (1×10⁴×g for 10 minutes), and supernatant filtration (pore size, 0.45 μm). Bacteriophage KS4 was prepared as previously described (Seed, K. D., and J. J. Dennis. 2005. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 251:273-280). In vitro lytic activity of KS4-M and KS4 was determined by adding 1 mL of bacteriophage (2×10⁸ PFU/mL) to 10 mL of K56-2 pre-grown in ½ LB for 3.5 hours at 30° C. Cultures were allowed to incubate at 30° C. with shaking until clearing was observed. OD₆₀₀ values were recorded, and any remaining bacteria were isolated from the resulting samples by serial dilution and plating onto ½ LB plates. A sample containing uninfected B. cenocepacia K56-2 served as the uninfected control. To quantify the resulting bacteriophage titer from each sample, CHCl₃ was added, the mixture was incubated at room temperature for about 30 min, the sample was centrifuged, the supernatant filter sterilized (pore size, 0.45 μm), and finally, dilutions of supernatant containing bacteriophage were plated with K56-2.

Three additional novel bacteriophages were isolated, KS12 from Dietes graniflora soil and KS14 and DC1 from Dracaena sp. soil. KS12 was isolated with B. cenocepacia strain K56-2 and of the 27 strains in the BCC panel tested, is only able to form plaques on K56-2 and B. multivorans C5274. KS14 was isolated using B. multivorans strain C5393 and has a considerably broader host bacterium range, capable of producing plaques on eight of the 27 strains tested. These eight strains are B. multivorans strains C5393 and C5274, B. cenocepacia strains 7153, C6433, C5424 and PC184, B. dolosa strain 21443, and B. ambifaria strain 17828. DC1 was isolated using B. cepacia strain LMG18821, and this bacteriophage is able to form plaques on B. cenocepacia strains K56-2, C6433, PC184 and Cep511, and B. stabilis strain LMG18870.

Bacteriophages KS12, DC1 and KS14 were isolated from soil as follows: a 10 g soil sample was added to 15 mL ½ LB broth and 300 μl BCC overnight (ON) liquid culture, and this mixture was shaken for about 24 hours at 30° C. Soil particles and bacteria were removed by centrifugation (4×10³×g for 20 min), and the supernatant was filter-sterilized (pore size 0.45 μm). 400 μL of filtrate was added to 100 μL of ON bacterial culture and incubated at room temperature for 20 min. Three mL of soft nutrient agar (½ LB broth supplemented with 7 g/L agar) was added and the mixture was overlaid on ½ LB agar and allowed to set. Bacteriophage plaques were identified and prepared after an overnight incubation at 30° C. as previously described (Seed, K. D., and J. J. Dennis. 2005. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 251:273-280). High-titer stocks were prepared to generate plates demonstrating confluent lysis; 3 mL sterile milliQ-H₂O (Milipore, Billirica, Mass.) was then added to these plates and allowed to rock at 4° C. for approximately 4 hrs. The liquid was then collected, centrifuged (1×10⁴×g for 10 minutes), and filtered (pore size, 0.45 μm). All bacteriophage preparations were applied to a Detoxi-Gel endotoxin-removing column (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill.) and serially diluted in 10 mM MgSO₄+1.2 mg/ml ampicillin prior to injection. The host ranges of newly isolated bacteriophages KS12, KS14 and DC1 were determined against a previously utilized bacterial panel comprising 24 BCC strains, representing 9 different species of the BCC (Seed, K. D., and J. J. Dennis. 2005. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 251:273-280). In addition to this strain panel, three additional BCC strains were tested for host range in this study: B. cenocepacia PC184 and Cep511 (LMG 18830) and B. vietnamiensis DBO1 (ATCC 29424).

Following incubation of liquid B. cenocepacia K56-2 with KS4-M the optical density (OD₆₀₀) was 0.09, while the sample inoculated with KS4 had an OD₆₀₀ of 0.44 and the uninfected control had an OD₆₀₀ of 0.48. The concentrations of bacteria remaining in the samples were determined to be 6.9×10⁶ CFU/mL (colony-forming units per ml) for the KS4-M infected culture, 1.6×10⁸ CFU/mL for the KS4 infected culture, and 2.1×10⁸ CFU/mL for the uninfected control. Concomitantly, the KS4-M infected sample produced more bacteriophage having a titer of 2×10⁷ PFU/mL compared to the KS4 infected sample (2×10⁵ PFU/mL).

Bacteria, Media and Molecular Biology

The BCC strains of the present invention were collected from the Burkholderia cepacia complex experimental strain panel (Mahenthiralingam, E., T. Coenye, J. W. Chung, D. P. Speert, J. R. Govan, P. Taylor, and P. Vandamme. 2000, J. Clin. Microbiol. 38:910-913) and the updated experimental strain panel (Coenye, T., P. Vandamme, J. J. LiPuma, J. R. Govan, and E. Mahenthiralingam 2003, J. Clin. Microbiol. 41, 2797-2798). Bacteria were grown in ½ LB medium at 30° C. Prior to infection with waxworm larvae (see Example 2), overnight cultures were centrifuged (1×104×g for 10 minutes), washed, resuspended and diluted in 10 mM MgSO₄ supplemented with 1.2 mg/ml ampicillin. Bacteria collected from the hemolymph of infected larvae were serially diluted in 10 mM MgSO₄ and plated onto B. cepacia selective agar. Bacterial genomes were isolated from individual colonies using standard procedures. A PCR assay was used to determine the presence of KS4-M within B. cenocepacia K56-2 isolates from the hemolymph of larvae undergoing KS4-M bacteriophage therapy. PCR was performed using Taq PCRx DNA polymerase (Invitrogen, Burlington, Ontario, Canada) in 50 μL reactions containing 10 ng of genomic DNA and 50 pmol of primers (Summer, E. J., C. F. Gonzalez, T. Carlisle, L. M. Mebane, A. M. Cass, C. G. Savva, J. LiPuma, and R. Young. 2004, J. Mol. Biol. 340:49-65) using amplification conditions of 96° C. for 2 min for the first cycle, followed by 30 cycles of 96° C. for 1 min, 50° C. for 1 min, and 72° C. for 1 min, with a final extension step of 72° C. for 2 min. PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

The BCC bacteriophages of the present invention were isolated as described below and their genomes sequenced using either standard shotgun cloning and Sanger sequencing, or massively parallel pyrosequencing. The present invention relates to bacteriophages comprising these sequences, as well as the sequences in isolated or purified form. Said sequences have uses for preparing bacteriophages for therapeutic and other applications. The following sequences were determined:

DC1(SEQ ID NO:1): vB_BceP-DC1, isolated from Dracaena sp. soil (host range includes Bcc LMG 18821, K56-2, C6433, PC184, CEP511 and LMG 18870)

KL3 (SEQ ID NO: 2): vB_BceM-KL3, isolated from Bcc CEP511

KS5 (SEQ ID NO: 3): vB_BceM-K55, isolated from onion soil on Bcc K56-2 (host range includes Bcc LMG 18821, C5393, J2315, 715j, K56-2, C5424, C6433, LMG 19467)

KS14 (SEQ ID NO: 4): vB_BceM-K514, isolated from Dracaena sp. soil (host range includes Bcc C5393, C5274, 715J, C6433, C5424, PC184, LMG 21443, LMG 17828)

Example 2 Galleria mellonella Assay for In Vivo Analysis of BCC Bacteriophage Activity

The waxworm larva Galleria mellonella has been developed as an in vivo alternative infection model (Seed and Dennis Infection and Immunity Mar. 2008, 1267-1275, incorporated herein by reference in entirety). It has been determined that the innate immune systems of insects such as G. mellonella share a high degree of structural and functional homology to the innate immune systems of mammals. Although the immune systems of insects do not display memory or clonal selection mechanisms, they do offer powerful resistance to microbial infections. This defense against microorganisms involves both cellular and humoral defenses. The humoral immune response of insects consists of the processes of melanization, hemolymph clotting, and the production of a number of potent antimicrobial peptides. The cellular reactions include phagocytosis, nodulization, and large-scale encapsulation. Therefore, G. mellonella is an attractive alternative infection model for a number of reasons. Analysis of insect responses to pathogens can provide an accurate indication of the mammalian response to that pathogen. Furthermore, substantial correlation between the virulence of certain microbes in mice and the G. mellonella model has been established.

While the use of higher animals, such as mice and rats, for the study of the BCC has provided invaluable information, alternative infection models that could provide comparable data but that are more cost-effective, less labor-intensive, and more ethically acceptable would be highly useful. Other alternative infection models have previously been tested with the BCC, including alfalfa seedlings, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Acanthamoeba species. Unfortunately, all of these models exhibit at least one deficiency in reproducing the virulence observed with BCC in mice and rats.

The use of G. mellonella is an alternative infection model for describing BCC virulence is in some cases more quantitative, more accurate, and more robust than other available alternative infection models. Identification of active bacteriophages in the G. mellonella assay indicates that these active bacteriophages will be useful as therapeutic agents for treatment of BCC and other bacterial infections in humans.

A 250 μl Hamilton syringe fitted with a reproducibility adapter was used to inject 5 μl aliquots into G. mellonella. Initial injections were via the hindmost left proleg and subsequent injections were via the second hindmost left proleg. Following injection, larvae were placed in a static incubator in the dark at 30° C. Larvae were scored as dead or alive 48 hours post-infection at 30° C. Larvae were considered dead when they displayed no movement in response to shaking of the petri dish or touch with a pipette tip. Untreated larvae received a control injection of 10 mM MgSO₄+1.2 mg/ml ampicillin in place of bacteriophage, and uninfected larvae received a control injection of 10 mM MgSO₄+1.2 mg/ml ampicillin and a subsequent injection of bacteriophage to measure any potentially lethal effects of the physical injection process. Ten larvae were injected in each group, and assays were repeated three times. A 20-G needle was used to withdraw hemolymph from larvae for isolation of bacteriophage and bacteria. In order to quantify the number of bacteriophage in the hemolymph over time, larvae were injected with 5 μl of bacteriophage preparation. At various times thereafter, 10 μl of hemolymph was collected from five larvae and combined. This sample was then serially diluted in suspension media and plated with the appropriate BCC strain for detection and quantification of plaques. For the zero time point, larvae were injected and allowed to sit for 10 minutes before hemolymph collection.

Example 3 Bacteriophage Stability in Hemolymph

Bacteriophages were tested for their ability to persist in the hemolymph of uninfected G. mellonella larvae over time. Equal volumes of hemolymph were collected from five worms at each time point and serially diluted and plated with B. cenocepacia K56-2 or B. cenocepacia C6433 for quantification. In FIG. 1, each point represents the average of three trials. Larvae injected with bacteriophage KS4-M alone show no decrease in the quantity of bacteriophage collected from the hemolymph over a 48-hour period. These results are also representative for bacteriophages DC1 and KS4, whose bacteriophage titers did not decline in the hemolymph over time. However, not all bacteriophages tested in this study were able to persist in the larval hemolymph. Larvae injected with KS12 or KS14 alone showed a decline in the number of bacteriophages isolated over a 48-hour period (FIG. 1). While both KS14 and KS12 could be isolated from the hemolymph at 48 hours post-injection, their numbers significantly declined over time.

Example 4 KS4-M Bacteriophage Therapy of B. cenocepacia K56-2 Infected G. mellonella Larvae

As with all bacteriophage therapy assays conducted in this study, uninfected larvae that received only bacteriophage had a 100% survival rate and therefore these data are not included in the Figures. Injection of bacteriophage KS4-M which was not purified through the Detoxi-Gel endotoxin-removing column resulted in localized melanization around the injection site as well as a slightly decreased survival rate (about 90% as compared to 100% for endotoxin-free bacteriophages).

Larvae infected with about 2.5×10³ CFU of B. cenocepacia K56-2 have nearly a 100% mortality rate 48 hours post-injection. In FIG. 2, each bar represents the average of three trials. Larvae treated with KS4-M immediately following infection show increased survival rates, and this rescue is dependent upon the quantity of bacteriophage used in the therapeutic dose (FIG. 2). The optimal dose of bacteriophage KS4-M used in this experiment was approximately 2.5×10³ PFU, resulting in a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1. At this dose, 60% of the larvae remained alive 48-hours post-injection, whereas none of the untreated larvae were viable at this time point. Both higher and lower levels of bacteriophage which resulted in higher and lower MOIs were found to be less effective in treating infected larvae (data not shown). B. cenocepacia K56-2 isolated from the hemolymph of treated larvae showed resistance to KS4-M infection in vitro (15 of 15 isolates tested). All of these isolates were PCR-positive for KS4-M indicating that lysogeny had occurred in vivo (lysogeny is characterized by integration of the bacteriophage nucleic acid into the host bacterium's genome). Despite in vitro growth differences in liquid culture, bacteriophage KS4 showed results similar to KS4-M in its ability to treat B. cenocepacia K56-2 infected larvae with application immediately following infection (data not shown). For this reason, further study of KS4 therapy was not pursued.

In order to determine whether a delay in treatment altered the ability of bacteriophages to rescue infected larvae, a lethal dose of B. cenocepacia K56-2 (about 2.5×10³ CFU) was administered and at various intervals thereafter (ranging from 6 to 24 hours). The larvae received a single injection of bacteriophage KS4-M (with MOIs ranging from 10 to 1000). Treatment at either 6 hours (FIG. 3A) or 12 hours (FIG. 3B) post-infection was most effective with the highest dose of bacteriophage and resulted in an MOI of 1000. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, each bar represents the average of three trials. In this experiment, more larvae were found to be viable 48 hours post-injection than when the dose was administered immediately following infection (20% mortality compared to 40% mortality). Although the levels of bacteria are known to remain low in the hemolymph of G. mellonella during the first 24 hours, bacteriophages delivered at 24 hours post-injection (irrespective of therapeutic dose) were unable to increase the survivability of infected larvae.

Example 5 KS12 Bacteriophage Therapy of B. cenocepacia K56-2 Infected G. mellonella Larvae

Bacteriophage KS12 was also investigated as a potential candidate for treating B. cenocepacia K56-2 infected larvae. As previously observed with KS4-M bacteriophage therapy, immediate therapy of infected larvae with KS12 can increase the survivability of larvae and this effect is dependent on the number of bacteriophage in the therapeutic dose (FIG. 4). At the highest MOI tested, KS12 is able to rescue over 90% of infected larvae. As expected, hemolymph collected from G. mellonella larvae infected with K56-2 that received subsequent treatment with KS12 was often completely devoid of bacteria, producing sterile hemolymph. This effect was only observed with bacteriophage KS12. In those instances where bacteria were present in the hemolymph, bacterial isolates recovered from treated larvae were tested for their sensitivity to KS12 in vitro, and both sensitive and resistant isolates were obtained.

In order to determine if the effects observed with bacteriophage therapy were associated with a nonspecific immune activation response, as a control, the effect of heat-inactivated KS12 bacteriophage on the survivability of larvae infected with a lethal dose of K56-2 was determined. This experiment was performed in an attempt to determine whether nonspecific immune response activation was partially (or wholly) responsible for larval survival. KS12 was heat-inactivated for a total of 20 minutes at 80° C. and then cooled prior to being used to treat K56-2 infected G. mellonella larvae. Larvae that were treated with heat-inactivated KS12 and untreated larvae had a 100% mortality rate 48 hours post-injection. This sample, in which no viable bacteriophage could be detected by in vitro plating, was used to treat larvae infected with a lethal dose of B. cenocepacia K56-2. Ten larvae were injected with a lethal dose of K56-2 (about 2.5×10³ CFU) and immediately treated with heat inactivated KS12. Another ten larvae served as a sham control receiving only bacteria and buffer in place of bacteriophage. The quantity of bacteriophages in the sample prior to heat inactivation was calculated to produce a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of approximately 8000. FIG. 4 shows that an experimental KS12-K56-2 MOI of approximately 5,000 results in a G. mellonella mortality rate of only about 7% over a similar time period, suggesting that larval survival is entirely due to bacteriophage antibacterial activity rather than host immune stimulation.

Example 6 KS14 Bacteriophage Therapy of B. cenocepacia C6433 Infected G. mellonella Larvae

G. mellonella larvae injected with a lethal dose of B. cenocepacia C6433 and immediately treated with KS14 show increased survival at the MOIs tested in this study (FIG. 5). The LD₅₀ for B. cenocepacia C6433 is 3.0×10⁴ CFU in this infection model. Therefore, the investigation was limited to testing the efficacy of low bacteriophage MOIs in evaluating KS14 therapy because in order to reach a lethal dose of B. cenocepacia C6433, about 1.0×10⁵ CFU had to be injected. Because of the required small injectable volumes in the G. mellonella model, even the highest concentrations of injected bacteriophage only resulted in an MOI of 0.1. However, even at these low levels of bacteriophage, a therapeutic effect was observed. G. mellonella larvae treated with the highest dose of bacteriophage (MOI=0.1) had mortality rates of approximately 50%, while untreated infected larvae had a 100% mortality rate at 48 hours post-injection. The amount of KS14 bacteriophage in the therapeutic dose appears to be of lesser importance, with different MOIs ranging from 0.1 to 0.001 all showing rescue of approximately 40% of infected G. mellonella larvae (FIG. 5). In vitro evaluation of the sensitivity of B. cenocepacia C6433 isolates collected post-infection to subsequent KS14 infection revealed the presence of both sensitive and resistant organisms.

Example 7 DC1 Bacteriophage Therapy of B. cenocepacia C6433 Infected G. mellonella Larvae

G. mellonella larvae were infected with a lethal dose of B. cenocepacia C6433 (about 1.0×10⁵ CFU) and immediately treated with bacteriophage DC1 at varying MOIs. Although higher MOIs were achieved in this experiment than with KS14 therapy, at all MOIs tested (ranging from 10 to 0.0001), no therapeutic effect of bacteriophage DC1 was observed (data not shown). B. cenocepacia C6433 infected G. mellonella larvae either untreated or treated with DC1 all had 100% mortality rates at 48 hours post-injection. Uninfected G. mellonella larvae that received a mock injection in place of bacteria and that were subsequently injected with bacteriophage DC1 exhibited no mortality, and therefore no undesirable effects were due to the injection of bacteriophage alone.

The results of this series of in vivo experiments predict that BCC bacteriophage therapy is effective against BCC infections in mammalian, including human subjects, such as individuals with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory tract ailments that can limit the application of other treatments and/or render such subjects more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Inhalational Therapy—Nebulization of BCC Bacteriophages Example 8 Bacteriophage Preparation

Phage KS4-M was propagated on BCC strain K56-2 using standard liquid propagation techniques. Bacteria were grown at 30° C. in ½ strength Luria-Bertani medium. Prior to aerosolization, bacteriophage preparations were filter sterilized (pore size 0.22 μm) and passed through a Detoxi-Gel Affinitypak™ prepacked column (Pierce Biotechnology, Rockford, Ill.) to remove endotoxins from the solution. Following aerosolization suspension media (SM) (50 mM Tris/HCl pH 7.5, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgSO₄, and 0.01% gelatin solution) was used to collect bacteriophage from the filter. The bacteriophages were then quantified by plating serial dilutions with BCC strain K56-2 using the soft overlay agar method for the detection of plaques.

Example 9 Nebulization of Bacteriophage and Measurement of Inhaled Fraction

Nebulization of the BCC bacteriophage was performed with two types of nebulizers each in triplicate, with a total of six tests for each bacteriophage titer. Pari LC Star™ jet nebulizers were used with a Proneb Turbo Compressor model 38B0201 at a flow of 3.6 L/min (Pari Pharma GmbH, Starnberg, Germany). This type of nebulizer is commonly used in cystic fibrosis therapy and has demonstrated good performance in previous nebulization studies. The second tested nebulizer in this study was the recently developed eFlow™ electronic nebulizer (Pari Pharma GmbH). The latter nebulizer has a shorter nebulization time and its gentle aerosol generation has demonstrated the potential to exert less shear on the fluid in the aerosolization of large molecules.

For each test, the nebulizer was filled with 2.5 mL of isotonic (osmolarity of 282-290 mOsm) bacteriophage suspension at an ambient temperature of 21° C. The bacteriophage titer had a mean value (standard deviation) of 2.15×10⁸ (1.63×10⁸) PFU/mL. To obtain an isotonic suspension of bacteriophages, the derived column eluates were supplemented with 5.25 mg/ml of sodium chloride. In addition, to examine the effect of osmolarity, the nebulizer was filled once with a hypotonic (105 mOsm) suspension of bacteriophages with a titer of 10⁸ PFU/mL. The run time was measured for each test. Nebulization was stopped when there was a pause of more than 15 seconds without aerosol production. The size distribution of nebulizer aerosols can depend on the patient's breathing pattern. Therefore, to simulate the breathing pattern, a computer controlled piston-type breathing machine (Pulmonary Waveform Generator, model: PWG S/N904, MH Custom Design & Mfg. LC, Midvale, Utah) was employed. A tidal volume of 800 mL, with 14 breaths per min, and a duty cycle of 0.5 (i.e., equal inhalation and exhalation with no inspiratory pause) was selected as a breathing pattern for an adult according to previous studies. The size distribution of the nebulizers was characterized by an in-line Phase Doppler Anemometer (PDA) (Dantec Electronics Inc., Mahwah, N.J.), while sampling 10 sec at the beginning of each minute of the run time. For both nebulizers, size measurements were made using a procedure in which the aerosol size distribution is measured at the mouthpiece of the nebulizer connected to the breathing simulator with optical sizing window in place. The refractive index of bacteriophage suspension was measured using a refractometer (Fisher Scientific Economy Refractometers, 13-947 series, Dubuque, Iowa) and found equal to that of pure water, so that the refractive index of water was used for the droplet size measurements by PDA. Also, the solution density of the suspension of bacteriophages (which is clear to the naked eye) is near that of water (1.002 g/cm³). The mass median diameters (MMDs) and geometric standard deviations (GSDs) from the PDA were averaged for each nebulizer and inserted into a mathematical model for deposition calculations.

The total output of the nebulizer was captured on a low resistance filter (Respirgard™ II, Vital Signs Colorado Inc., Totowa, N.J.) in line with the breathing machine. The number of bacteriophages collected on the filter was termed the “inhaled count.” The filter collection was performed directly at the exit of the nebulizer mouthpiece, without the sizing region in place, to prevent any loss in the sizing region.

Regional lung deposition of the inhaled bacteriophages was estimated using a numerical lung deposition model based on a one-dimensional Lagrangian approach which has been previously described (Golshani et al., J. Aerosol. Med. & Pulmonary Drug Delivery 2008, 21(4), 1-9).

Average values of inhaled counts of bacteriophages, nebulization time, aerosol mass median diameter (MMD), and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of the two types of nebulizers (LC Star™ and eFlow™) are presented in Table 1. It is observed that average nebulization time was longer for the LC Star™ jet nebulizer compared to the eFlow™ electronic nebulizer (p<0.01). The average mass median diameter of the eFlow™ was slightly larger than that of the LC Star™ nebulizer (p>0.01). The polydispersity was similar for the two types of nebulizers, with geometric standard deviation not significantly affected by the type of nebulizer (p>0.01). In Table 1, mean values and standard deviations are given based on six replicates of experiments for each nebulizer (three repeats at two titers). The p-value is a two-tail p value for comparing the two nebulizers using a Students t-test.

TABLE 1 Comparison of Data from LC star ™ and eFlow ™ Nebulizers Nebulizer type LC star ™ eFlow ™ Data Mean ± SD Mean ± SD p-value MMD, (μm) 4.98 ± 0.06 5.83 ± 0.43 0.086 GSD (μm) 1.48 ± 0.01 1.44 ± 0.07 0.437 Nebulization time (min.) 7.56 ± 0.59 3.09 ± 0.25 5.64 × 10⁻⁷ Inhaled bacteriophages (PFU) 1.06 × 10⁸ ± 0.12 × 10⁸ 1.15 × 10⁸ ± 0.14 × 10⁸ 0.242 Extrathoracic deposition 2.04 × 10⁷ ± 0.25 × 10⁷ 2.92 × 10⁷ ± 0.66 × 10⁷ 0.023 (PFU) Tracheobronchial deposition 2.14 × 10⁷ ± 0.25 × 10⁷ 2.58 × 10⁷ ± 0.33 × 10⁷ 0.030 (PFU) Alveolar deposition (PFU) 3.02 × 10⁷ ± 0.35 × 10⁷ 2.96 × 10⁷ ± 0.29 × 10⁷ 0.747

Average values of the inhaled counts of bacteriophages on the filters are also given in Table 1 for each type of nebulizer. The type of nebulizer did not significantly change the “inhaled count” and regional deposition (p>0.01). Table 1 also shows the quantity of bacteriophages that mathematically were predicted to deposit in different regions of the lung. It is worth mentioning that the quantity of bacteriophages quoted in plaque forming units (PFU) represents the quantity of bacteriophages that survived the nebulization. The extrathoracic deposition obtained with the eFlow is slightly higher, which could be attributed to the larger MMD of that nebulizer. Larger aerosols tend to impact on extrathoracic surfaces. In contrast, the alveolar deposition obtained by the LC Star™ was higher compared to that of the eFlow™. This may be explained by a related argument. The tracheobronchial deposition of LC Star™ and eFlow™ were predicted to be 2.14×10⁷ (2.5×10⁶) and 2.58×10⁷ (3.3×10⁶) PFU, respectively.

To assess the effect of osmolarity, one set of experiments was performed with both types of nebulizers filled with 2.5 mL hypotonic suspension (105 mOsm) with titer of 10⁸ PFU/mL (2.5×10⁸ PFU). The “inhaled count” using LC Star™ and eFlow™ were 1.75×10⁷ (0.02×10⁷) and 1.8×10⁷ (0.02×10⁷), respectively. These results revealed that inhaled count was much less than the inhaled count obtained from an isotonic formulation (Table 1). The reduced inhaled count with hypotonic solution is likely due to osmotic pressure sensitivity of bacteriophages during nebulization. This part of the experiment was a preliminary trial. This formulation was abandoned due to concerns that hypotonic formulations can cause patient cough, which makes the drug delivery impractical.

Predicted bacteriophage titers in airway surface liquid in different generations of the tracheobronchial region are given in FIG. 6 for two combinations of tracheal mucus velocity-mucus production rates of 5 mm/min:40 mL/day and 15 mm/min:5 mL/day for both LC Star™ and eFlow™ nebulizers. Nebulizing with eFlow™ resulted in higher airway surface liquid concentration in all tracheobronchial generations for both combinations of mucus velocity and mucus production rate. As expected, the largest airway surface liquid concentration was obtained with the largest mucus velocity (15 mm/min) and lowest production rate (5 mL/day), and the lowest airway surface liquid concentration was obtained with the lowest mucus velocity (5 mm/min) and highest production rate (40 mL/day). The nebulization time in the experiment (7.56 and 3.09 min for LC Star™ and eFlow™, respectively) is measured in minutes, while mucociliary clearance occurs on a time scale measured in hours. Therefore, considering a static state for concentration distribution in airway surface liquid is a reasonable approximation. This static state leads to a minimum titer for the low mucus velocity and high production rate because of the higher thickness of airway surface liquid for a given inhaled number of bacteriophages.

These experiments show that BCC bacteriophages survive nebulization both in LC Star™ and eFlow™ nebulizers, and result in good inhaled and deposition titers. Because patients prefer the shortest inhalation time, the eFlow™ is favored in this sense. However, the eFlow™ is currently more expensive, and may be less durable, with the average cycle life of an ultrasonic nebulizer being 600 to 1000 uses, which is reached within a year by a cystic fibrosis patient receiving multiple medications. It is worth noting that imaging lung deposition studies using scintigraphic aerosol have shown good performance of vented jet nebulizers. LC Star™ and eFlow™ both have relatively similar MMD, and the mathematical model predicts similar distribution of bacteriophages in the lungs. This suggests that the LCstar™ and eFlow™ both appear to be suitable for BCC bacteriophage therapy.

These results further demonstrate that bacteriophage therapy delivered by aerosol delivery of an aqueous solution of a bacteriophage has the potential to be effective against bacterial infections, including a BCC infection such as those suffered by individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Respirable Powders Containing Active BCC Bacteriophages

Example 10 Lyophilization of Bacteriophage KS4-M in Carbohydrates

Bacteriophage KS4-M was obtained and purified as described in Example 1. Lactose monohydrate (milk sugar), sucrose, and trehalose were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Inc., St. Louis Mo., 63103 USA. Lyophilization was done using a Labconco Freeze Dry System, model Freezone™ 4.5 (from Fisher Scientific). Aerolizer inhalers were purchased in a local pharmacy. Hard gelatin capsules #3 were purchased from Capsule Connection, 309 Bloom Pl., Prescott Ariz., 86303 USA. Mixer mill 5100-115 was obtained from ATS Scientific Inc., 4030 Mainway, Burlington, ON, L7M 4B9 Canada (manufactured by SPEX, 203 Norcross Ave, Metuchen N.J., 08840 USA).

Starting concentrations of the carbohydrates lactose, trehalose and sucrose were prepared at 50 mg/ml. Carbohydrate (600 mg) was dissolved in deionized water (6 ml) and filtered through a 0.45 μm filter to give 5 ml of carbohydrate solution (100 mg/ml). Subsequently, the latter was combined with 5 ml of endotoxin-free KS4-M (1×10⁸ PFU/ml) in a 300 ml fast freeze flask, frozen in a dry ice/acetone mixture and lyophilized for 30 hours.

The lyophilized material was stored in polypropylene tubes at 4° C. Assuming 100% survivability, in the lyophilized material bacteriophage content should have been about 1×10⁸ PFU/100 mg. The bacteriophage viability was measured after lyophilization and the following results were obtained with the respective carbohydrates: lactose—9.4×10⁷ PFU/100 mg; trehalose—4.8×10⁷ PFU/100 mg; and sucrose—7.8×10⁷ PFU/100 mg.

Since the difference between ideal and obtained yields is less than 1 log unit, the carbohydrate matrix used to preserve bacteriophage KS4-M in a dry form provides good cryoprotection for this bacteriophage.

In other embodiments, the starting carbohydrate may comprise one or more carbohydrates, such as mannitol, glucose, saccharose or trehalose, in addition to in place of the carbohydrates and sugars mentioned above. It will be seen by those skilled in the art that the carbohydrate component may be selected from a wide range of pharmaceutically acceptable compounds.

The respirable composition of the invention may comprise other active ingredients, such as antibiotics as aminoglycosides, e.g tobramycin, amikacin; fluoroquinolones, eg. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin; beta lactam and carbapenam antibiotics, cationic peptides, eg. lactoferrin.

The respirable composition may comprise other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or compounds, such as surfactants eg. poloxamers, Tweens™, phospholipids; polyethylene glycols, glucosinolates, EDTA, amino acids (eg. glycine, leucine) and their polymers (eg. trileucine), and others.

Example 11 Preparation of Respirable Powders Containing BCC Bacteriophages

Upon lyophilization with carbohydrates (and optionally other constituents) as described in Example 10, the bacteriophages become embedded in a solid matrix. This material is not suitable for dry powder inhaler delivery because it is in the form of a porous cake. This product must be further refined by a process of solid particle comminution (fission or erosion of particles to obtain particles of a refined size with a reduced distribution of particle sizes). This process produces a respirable powder suitable for packing into capsules. The refining process must be sufficiently gentle to provide respirable powder particles without destroying the bacteriophages. This is accomplished by minimizing shear forces and other mechanical stresses during the process.

Lyophilized samples prepared as described above were subjected to a milling process. It was found that milling the porous cake described above with a mortar and pestle produces powders without a major loss of bacteriophage titer (see Table 2). Batch L9-BCC also contained 2.5 mg/mg solids of Pluronic F68, a block copolymer surfactant. Batch L7-BCC was first ground using a mortar and then in the mixer mill 5100-115. The recovered concentration indicates recovered quantity of viable bacteriophage from capsule contents, prior to aerosolization.

Preparing powders from lyophilized bacteriophage in solid matrices may be conveniently accomplished on a commercial scale by methods of milling or by any other processes which produce particle diameters of about 1 μm to about 5 μm in diameter, or any other selected particle size or size range, while minimizing shear and other mechanical stresses during the step of reducing the cake to a finely divided powder. Such powders may be obtained on a commercial scale by a variety of known low-stress methods, such as gentle mixing in drum rollers, or tumblers in a manner known to those with skill in the art.

Persons skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the particle size of the preparations of the present invention may be selected from within a wide range. The particle size of the final product may be adjusted to any suitable size or size arrange, according to methods and processes known to the art, and depending on the therapeutic objectives of the formulation. Without limiting the generality of the invention, particle sizes may range, for example, between 0.1 and 100 μm in diameter. Within this exemplary range, one may select narrower ranges, such as 0.5 to 25 μm, 1.0 to 10 μm, or 1.0 to 5 μm in diameter. It will be further understood that within any given range, a small portion of particles may fall outside this range.

TABLE 2 Titer of different preparations of live phages submitted to lyophilization are given as plaque forming units, pfu, per mg powder. Titer prior to Titer recovered Excipient lyophilization after lyophilization Batch concentration Workup (10⁶ pfu/mg solids) (10⁶ pfu/mg solids) L3 Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar 1 0.404 (0.046) L4 Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar 1 0.442 (0.0) L7 Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar and mixer 1 0.025 (0.005) L8 Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar 1 0.505 (0.0005) L9 Lactose 50 mg/ml + Mortar 1 0.206 (0.133) Pluronic F68 2.5% wt./wt. solids L11 Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar 1 0.064 (0.017) T2 Trehalose 50 mg/ml Mortar 1 0.179 (0.083) T3 Trehalose 100 mg/ml Mortar 0.5  0.56 (0.07) L10 (KS4-M + Lactose 50 mg/ml Mortar KS4-M: 0.0044 KS4-M: 0.00119 KS14 phages) KS14: 0.0044 (0.00029) KS14: 0.000218 (0.000107) All batches except L10 were prepared with KS4-M phages only. Standard deviation is given in brackets (n = 4 for most batches, and n ≧ 2 for all batches).

Example 12 Testing for Viable Bacteriophages in Fine Particle Fractions after Aerosolization

Because aerosols must traverse the mouth-throat region before entering the lungs, it is important to be able to mimic aerosol deposition and flow in the human mouth-throat when studying inhaled aerosols. However, there is tremendous variability in the shape and geometry of the human mouth-throat between different individuals. For this reason, a model known as the “Alberta mouth-throat geometry” was developed at the Aerosol Research Laboratory of Alberta. Despite its relative simplicity compared to actual human mouth-throats, the Alberta geometry has been shown to do a remarkable job of mimicking the aerosol and flow motion in the human mouth-throat. For this reason, it has been adopted worldwide by researchers examining and testing aerosols inhaled orally.

Testing for fine particle fraction was performed using the Alberta mouth-throat model and Aerolizer™ inhalers (Novartis). The fractions were collected on 303 Respirgard™ low resistance filters (Vital Signs Inc., Totowa, N.J.) The results of the fine particle fraction testing are shown in Table 3. These results indicate that, while some loss of bacteriophage is incurred during the aerosolization process, in most cases, a quantity is recovered in fine particle fractions, which is predicted to be sufficient for bacteriophage therapy.

Bacteriophage prepared according to the above method or by other methods which achieve a similar result may be delivered as a dry powder in a dry powder inhaler to provide therapeutic benefit to individuals with a bacterial infection, such as a pulmonary BCC infection, including those with BCC infections arising from cystic fibrosis.

TABLE 3 Titer delivered as aerosol distal to the Alberta mouth-throat is given for different preparations that are listed in Table 2. Capsule Delivery distal to mouth- Batch load (mg) Capsule load (pfu) throat (pfu) L4 29.8 (1.6) 1.32 (0.07) × 10⁷ 3.23 (1.98) × 10⁶ L7 30.4 (2.4) 7.61 (0.60) × 10⁵ 6.57 (2.33) × 10⁴ L8 22.8 (0.8) 1.16 (0.04) × 10⁷ 1.92 (0.57) × 10⁵ L9 25.9 (0.7) 5.34 (0.15) × 10⁶ 7.63 (3.16) × 10⁵ L11 31.3 (0.75)  6.4 (1.7) × 10⁶  9.3 (0.1) × 10⁴ T2 30.9 (1.0) 5.54 (0.17) × 10⁶ 7.22 (3.22) × 10⁵ T3 25.3 (0.40) 1.42 (0.02) × 10⁷ 9.62 (0.97) × 10⁵ L10 29.7 (0.24) KS4-M: 6.47 (0.05) × 10³ KS4-M: 2.25 (0.21) × 10³ KS14: 3.53 (0.03) × 10⁴ KS14: 3.51 (0.29) × 10³ Standard deviation is given in brackets (n = 2 for capsule load, and n = 3 for delivery distal to mouth-throat).

TABLE 4 Titer (units of 10⁶ pfu/mg solids) of different preparations that are listed in Table 2 are given here after storage for the indicated periods of time. Batch 1 week 2 months 3 months 5 months L8 at 0° C. 0.50 (0.07)  0.14 (0.2)  0.19 (0.06) L9 at 0° C. 0.08 (0.02)  0.35 (0.06) 0.115 (0.007) 0.125 (0.007) L9 at 22° C. 0.24 (0.03) 0.070 (0.03) T2 at 0° C. 0.10 (0.03) 0.018 (0.002) T3 at 0° C. 0.56 (0.1) 0.062 (0.002)

It will be seen that the present invention has been described by way of preferred embodiments of various aspects of the invention. However, it will be understood that one skilled in the art may readily depart from the embodiments described in detail herein, while still remaining within the scope of the invention as defined in this patent specification including the statement of invention hereinbelow.

All documents referred to in this patent specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

We claim:
 1. A respirable composition comprising a therapeutically active bacteriophage and a pharmaceutically acceptable respirable carrier, said composition being in the form of a fine powder comprising a desiccated liquid composition of said bacteriophage and a carbohydrate.
 2. The composition as defined in claim 1 wherein said powder comprises particles in the size range of 0.1 to 100 μm, 0.5 to 25 μm, 1.0 to 10 μm, or 1.0 to 5 μm in diameter.
 3. The composition as defined in claim 1 wherein said carbohydrate comprises lactose, lactose monohydrate, sucrose, trehalose, mannitol, or glucose.
 4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said bacteriophage is a lytic bacteriophage, a lysogenic bacteriophage, or a genetically modified lysogenic bacteriophage having lytic activity.
 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said bacteriophage is active against BCC.
 6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said bacteriophage comprises a gene sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4 or a gene sequence having at least 75%, 85%, 90% or 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO:
 4. 7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said bacteriophage comprises a mixture of bacteriophages active against a plurality of bacteria species or strains.
 8. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an antibiotic compound.
 9. A method of preparing a respirable composition comprising a therapeutically active bacteriophage and a pharmaceutically acceptable respirable carrier, comprising the steps of preparing a mixture comprising said carrier and said bacteriophage in a liquid, desiccating said mixture to obtain a matrix, and refining said matrix into fine particles, wherein said step of refining retains the viability of said bacteriophage wherein the step of refining results in the loss of less than one log unit bacteriophage viability.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said matrix is refined into particle sizes in the range of 0.1 to 100 μm, 0.5 to 25 μm, 1.0 to 10 μm, or 1.0 to 5 μm in diameter.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said carrier comprises a carbohydrate.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein said bacteriophage is active against BCC.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein said bacteriophage comprises a gene sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO: 4 or a gene sequence having at least 85%, 90% or 95% identity with SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, or SEQ ID NO:
 4. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein said bacteriophage comprises a mixture of bacteriophages active against a plurality of bacteria species or strains.
 15. The method of claim 9 further comprising adding an antibiotic compound into said mixture.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein said refining comprises milling.
 17. A method of treatment of an individual with a bacterial infection comprising administering to said individual a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of claim
 1. 18. The method of treatment of claim 17 wherein said bacteriophage comprises a BCC bacteriophage and said individual has cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease.
 19. The method of treatment of claim 17 wherein said bacterial infection is present in a biofilm within the individual's lung.
 20. The composition of claim 1 wherein said dessicated liquid composition comprises an aqueous mixture.
 21. The composition of claim 1 wherein said dessicated liquid composition comprises a lyophilized aqueous mixture.
 22. The composition of claim 1 wherein said dessicated liquid composition is milled.
 23. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of desiccating comprises lyophilizing said liquid mixture.
 24. The method of claim 9 wherein said liquid mixture comprises an aqueous mixture. 